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Li J, Xiao Z, Wang D, Jia L, Nie S, Zeng X, Hu W. The screening, identification, design and clinical application of tumor-specific neoantigens for TCR-T cells. Mol Cancer 2023; 22:141. [PMID: 37649123 PMCID: PMC10466891 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-023-01844-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2023] [Accepted: 08/16/2023] [Indexed: 09/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Recent advances in neoantigen research have accelerated the development of tumor immunotherapies, including adoptive cell therapies (ACTs), cancer vaccines and antibody-based therapies, particularly for solid tumors. With the development of next-generation sequencing and bioinformatics technology, the rapid identification and prediction of tumor-specific antigens (TSAs) has become possible. Compared with tumor-associated antigens (TAAs), highly immunogenic TSAs provide new targets for personalized tumor immunotherapy and can be used as prospective indicators for predicting tumor patient survival, prognosis, and immune checkpoint blockade response. Here, the identification and characterization of neoantigens and the clinical application of neoantigen-based TCR-T immunotherapy strategies are summarized, and the current status, inherent challenges, and clinical translational potential of these strategies are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiangping Li
- Division of Thoracic Tumor Multimodality Treatment, Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, People's Republic of China.
| | - Zhiwen Xiao
- Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510655, People's Republic of China
| | - Donghui Wang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The Third Affiliated Hospital Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510630, People's Republic of China
| | - Lei Jia
- International Health Medicine Innovation Center, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518060, People's Republic of China
| | - Shihong Nie
- Department of Radiation Oncology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Cancer Center, Chengdu, 610041, People's Republic of China
| | - Xingda Zeng
- Department of Parasitology of Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Wei Hu
- Division of Vascular Surgery, Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences & Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, 610072, People's Republic of China
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Srivastava RM, Trivedi S, Concha-Benavente F, Hyun-Bae J, Wang L, Seethala RR, Branstetter BF, Ferrone S, Ferris RL. STAT1-Induced HLA Class I Upregulation Enhances Immunogenicity and Clinical Response to Anti-EGFR mAb Cetuximab Therapy in HNC Patients. Cancer Immunol Res 2015; 3:936-45. [PMID: 25972070 DOI: 10.1158/2326-6066.cir-15-0053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2015] [Accepted: 04/20/2015] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The goal of this study was to characterize the molecular mechanisms underlying cetuximab-mediated upregulation of HLA class I antigen-processing machinery components in head and neck cancer (HNC) cells and to determine the clinical significance of these changes in cetuximab-treated HNC patients. Flow cytometry, signaling studies, and chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assays were performed using HNC cells treated with cetuximab alone or with Fcγ receptor (FcγR)-bearing lymphocytes to establish the mechanism of EGFR-dependent regulation of HLA APM expression. A prospective phase II clinical trial of neoadjuvant cetuximab was used to correlate HLA class I expression with clinical response in HNC patients. EGFR blockade triggered STAT1 activation and HLA upregulation, in a src homology-containing protein (SHP)-2-dependent fashion, more prominently in HLA-B/C than in HLA-A alleles. EGFR signaling blockade also enhanced IFNγ receptor 1 (IFNAR) expression, augmenting induction of HLA class I and TAP1/2 expression by IFNγ, which was abrogated in STAT1(-/-) cells. Cetuximab enhanced HNC cell recognition by EGFR853-861-specific CTLs, and notably enhanced surface presentation of a non-EGFR peptide (MAGE-3271-279). HLA class I upregulation was significantly associated with clinical response in cetuximab-treated HNC patients. EGFR induces HLA downregulation through SHP-2/STAT1 suppression. Reversal of HLA class I downregulation was more prominent in clinical responders to cetuximab therapy, supporting an important role for adaptive immunity in cetuximab antitumor activity. Abrogating EGFR-induced immune escape mechanisms and restoring STAT1 signaling to reverse HLA downregulation using cetuximab should be combined with strategies to enhance adaptive cellular immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sumita Trivedi
- Department of Otolaryngology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | | | - Jie Hyun-Bae
- Department of Otolaryngology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Lin Wang
- Department of Otolaryngology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Raja R Seethala
- Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | | | - Soldano Ferrone
- Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Robert L Ferris
- Department of Otolaryngology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Department of Immunology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Cancer Immunology Program, University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
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Radhakrishnan V, S. Swanson M, K. Sinha U. Monoclonal Antibodies as Treatment Modalities in Head and Neck Cancers. AIMS MEDICAL SCIENCE 2015. [DOI: 10.3934/medsci.2015.4.347] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
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4
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Schuler PJ, Harasymczuk M, Visus C, DeLeo A, Trivedi S, Lei Y, Argiris A, Gooding W, Butterfield LH, Whiteside TL, Ferris RL. Phase I dendritic cell p53 peptide vaccine for head and neck cancer. Clin Cancer Res 2014; 20:2433-44. [PMID: 24583792 PMCID: PMC4017234 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-13-2617] [Citation(s) in RCA: 96] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND p53 accumulation in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) cells creates a targetable tumor antigen. Adjuvant dendritic cell (DC)-based vaccination against p53 was tested in a phase I clinical trial. EXPERIMENTAL METHODS Monocyte-derived DC from 16 patients were loaded with two modified HLA-class I p53 peptides (Arm 1), additional Th tetanus toxoid peptide (Arm 2), or additional Th wild-type (wt) p53-specific peptide (Arm 3). Vaccine DCs (vDC) were delivered to inguinal lymph nodes at three time points. vDC phenotype, circulating p53-specific T cells, and regulatory T cells (Treg) were serially monitored by flow cytometry and cytokine production by Luminex. vDC properties were compared with those of DC1 generated with an alternative maturation regimen. RESULTS No grade II-IV adverse events were observed. Two-year disease-free survival of 88% was favorable. p53-specific T-cell frequencies were increased postvaccination in 11 of 16 patients (69%), with IFN-γ secretion detected in four of 16 patients. Treg frequencies were consistently decreased (P = 0.006) relative to prevaccination values. The phenotype and function of DC1 were improved relative to vDC. CONCLUSION Adjuvant p53-specific vaccination of patients with HNSCC was safe and associated with promising clinical outcome, decreased Treg levels, and modest vaccine-specific immunity. HNSCC patients' DC required stronger maturation stimuli to reverse immune suppression and improve vaccine efficacy.
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MESH Headings
- Adult
- Aged
- Cancer Vaccines/administration & dosage
- Cancer Vaccines/adverse effects
- Cancer Vaccines/immunology
- Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/genetics
- Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/immunology
- Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/mortality
- Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/pathology
- Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/therapy
- Cytokines/biosynthesis
- Dendritic Cells/immunology
- Dendritic Cells/metabolism
- Head and Neck Neoplasms/genetics
- Head and Neck Neoplasms/immunology
- Head and Neck Neoplasms/mortality
- Head and Neck Neoplasms/pathology
- Head and Neck Neoplasms/therapy
- Humans
- Immunophenotyping
- Immunotherapy/adverse effects
- Lymphocytes, Tumor-Infiltrating/immunology
- Lymphocytes, Tumor-Infiltrating/metabolism
- Middle Aged
- Neoplasm Staging
- Peptide Fragments/immunology
- Phenotype
- Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Head and Neck
- T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic/immunology
- T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic/metabolism
- T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory/immunology
- T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory/metabolism
- Treatment Outcome
- Tumor Suppressor Protein p53/chemistry
- Tumor Suppressor Protein p53/immunology
- Vaccination
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick J. Schuler
- Cancer Immunology Program, University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute
- Department of Otolaryngology, University of Ulm, Germany
| | | | - Carmen Visus
- Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine
| | - Albert DeLeo
- Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine
| | - Sumita Trivedi
- Cancer Immunology Program, University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute
- Department of Otolaryngology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine
| | - Yu Lei
- Cancer Immunology Program, University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute
| | - Athanassios Argiris
- Department of Medicine, Hematology /Oncology, University of Texas-San Antonio Cancer Center
| | - William Gooding
- Biostatistics Facility, University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute
| | - Lisa H. Butterfield
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology, University of Pittsburgh
| | - Theresa L. Whiteside
- Cancer Immunology Program, University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute
- Department of Otolaryngology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine
| | - Robert L. Ferris
- Cancer Immunology Program, University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute
- Department of Otolaryngology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine
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Leibowitz MS, Srivastava RM, Andrade Filho PA, Egloff AM, Wang L, Seethala RR, Ferrone S, Ferris RL. SHP2 is overexpressed and inhibits pSTAT1-mediated APM component expression, T-cell attracting chemokine secretion, and CTL recognition in head and neck cancer cells. Clin Cancer Res 2013; 19:798-808. [PMID: 23363816 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-12-1517] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class I antigen processing machinery (APM) component downregulation permits escape of malignant cells from recognition by cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) and correlates with poor prognosis in patients with head and neck cancer (HNC). Activated STAT1 (pSTAT1) is necessary for APM component expression in HNC cells. We investigated whether an overexpressed phosphatase was responsible for basal suppression of pSTAT1 and subsequent APM component-mediated immune escape in HNC cells. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN Immunohistochemical staining and reverse transcription PCR of paired HNC tumors was performed for the phosphatases src homology domain-containing phosphatase (SHP)-1 and SHP2. Depletion of phosphatase activity in HNC and STAT1(-/-) tumor cells was achieved by siRNA knockdown. HLA class I-restricted, tumor antigen-specific CTL were used in IFN-γ ELISPOT assays against HNC cells. Chemokine secretion was measured after SHP2 depletion in HNC cells. RESULTS SHP2, but not SHP1, was significantly upregulated in HNC tissues. In HNC cells, SHP2 depletion significantly upregulated expression of pSTAT1 and HLA class I APM components. Overexpression of SHP2 in nonmalignant keratinocytes inhibited IFN-γ-mediated STAT1 phosphorylation, and SHP2 depletion in STAT1(-/-) tumor cells did not significantly induce IFN-γ-mediated APM component expression, verifying STAT1 dependence of SHP2 activity. SHP2 depletion induced recognition of HNC cells by HLA class I-restricted CTL and secretion of inflammatory, T-cell attracting chemokines, RANTES and IP10. CONCLUSION These findings suggest for the first time an important role for SHP2 in APM-mediated escape of HNC cells from CTL recognition. Targeting SHP2 could enhance T-cell-based cancer immunotherapy.
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Schuler PJ, Hoffmann TK, Gauler TC, Bergmann C, Brandau S, Lang S. [Immunotherapy of head and neck cancer. Current developments]. HNO 2012; 61:559-72. [PMID: 23247754 DOI: 10.1007/s00106-012-2635-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
In order to improve the prognosis for patients with head and neck squamous cell cancer (HNSCC) the introduction of new therapeutic strategies is necessary. The concept of immunotherapy has been applied and improved for several years and recent studies have used tumor-specific antigens which facilitates targeted oncologic therapy. However, immunotherapy is hampered by the fact that immunosuppressive mechanisms are pronounced and relevant effector cells are suppressed, especially in patients with HNSCC. Successful immunotherapy could induce an antitumor immune response by restitution of these cell populations. Current anti-tumor immunotherapy includes unspecific immune stimulation, genetic modification of tumor and immune cells, the use of monoclonal antibodies, e.g. cetuximab, adoptive cell transfer and tumor vaccination. In the future, these biologic therapies alone or in combination with conventional therapeutic regimens could present a valuable therapeutic option for HNSCC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- P J Schuler
- Klinik und Poliklinik für Hals-, Nasen- und Ohrenkrankheiten, Universität Duisburg-Essen.
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Ferris RL, Lotze MT, Leong SPL, Hoon DSB, Morton DL. Lymphatics, lymph nodes and the immune system: barriers and gateways for cancer spread. Clin Exp Metastasis 2012; 29:729-36. [PMID: 22851005 PMCID: PMC3485421 DOI: 10.1007/s10585-012-9520-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2012] [Accepted: 07/14/2012] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Metastasis to the regional lymph node is the most important prognostic indicator for the outcomes of patients with sold cancer. In general, it is well recognized that cancer development is genetically determined with progression from the microenvironment of the primary tumor site, oftentimes via the SLN gateway, to the distant sites. In about 20 % of the time, the cancer cells may spread directly through the blood vascular system to the distant sites. Thus, in general, cancer progression is consistent with Hellman's spectrum theory in that development of nodal and systemic metastasis from a localized cancer growth is a progressive process. Cancer proliferation within the tumor microenvironment may give rise to increased tumor heterogeneity, which is further complicated by its continuous change through its evolution within the host in a Darwinian sense. It is crucial to understand the molecular process of lymphangiogenesis and hemangiogenesis in the tumor microenvironment with respect to the initial steps of cancer cells entering into the lymphatic and vascular systems so that rational therapy can be developed to curb the process of specific routes of metastasis. This chapter elucidates the role of lymphatics, nodal metastasis and antitumor immunity. We present novel immune targets in nodal metastases, the importance of the lymph node as a pre-metastatic niche, and immune-related proteins as biomarkers of metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert L Ferris
- Hillman Cancer Center Research, Pavilion 5117 Centre Avenue, Room 2.26b, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA.
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Song GY, Srivastava T, Ishizaki H, Lacey SF, Diamond DJ, Ellenhorn JDI. Recombinant modified vaccinia virus ankara (MVA) expressing wild-type human p53 induces specific antitumor CTL expansion. Cancer Invest 2011; 29:501-10. [PMID: 21843052 PMCID: PMC3260009 DOI: 10.3109/07357907.2011.606248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
The p53 gene product is an attractive target for tumor immunotherapy. The present study aims to understand the potential of MVAp53 vaccine to induce expansion of p53-specific cytotoxic T lymphocyte ex vivo in cancer patients. The result indicated that 14 of 23 cancer patients demonstrated p53-specific IFN-γ production, degranulation, cell proliferation, and lysis of p53 overexpressed human tumor cell lines. These experiments show that MVAp53 stimulation has the potential to induce the expansion of p53-specific cytotoxic T lymphocyte from the memory T cell repertoire. The data suggest that MVAp53 vaccine is an ideal candidate for cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guang-Yun Song
- Division of Translational Vaccine Research, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, California, USA
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Andrade Filho PA, Letra A, Cramer A, Prasad JL, Garlet GP, Vieira AR, Ferris RL, Menezes R. Insights from studies with oral cleft genes suggest associations between WNT-pathway genes and risk of oral cancer. J Dent Res 2011; 90:740-6. [PMID: 21393552 DOI: 10.1177/0022034511401622] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) accounts for more than 90% of the malignant neoplasms that arise in the mucosa of the upper aerodigestive tract. Recent studies of cleft lip/palate have shown the association of genes involved in cancer. WNT pathway genes have been associated with several types of cancer and recently with cleft lip/palate. To investigate if genes associated with cleft lip/palate were also associated with oral cancer, we genotyped 188 individuals with OSCC and 225 control individuals for markers in AXIN2, AXIN1, GSK3β, WNT3A, WNT5A, WNT8A, WNT11, WNT3, and WNT9B. Statistical analysis was performed with PLINK 1.06 software to test for differences in allele frequencies of each polymorphism between cases and controls. We found association of SNPs in GSK3B (p = 0.0008) and WNT11 (p = 0.03) with OSCC. We also found overtransmission of GSK3B haplotypes in OSCC cases. Expression analyses showed up-regulation of WNT3A, GSK3B, and AXIN1 and down-regulation of WNT11 in OSCC in comparison with control tissues (P < 0.001). Additional studies should focus on the identification of potentially functional variants in these genes as contributors to human clefting and oral cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- P A Andrade Filho
- Department of Otolaryngology and Immunology, Hillman Cancer Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA
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Deficiency of activated STAT1 in head and neck cancer cells mediates TAP1-dependent escape from cytotoxic T lymphocytes. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2011; 60:525-35. [PMID: 21207025 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-010-0961-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 84] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2010] [Accepted: 12/15/2010] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN) cells can escape recognition by tumor antigen (TA)-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) by downregulation of antigen processing machinery (APM) components, such as the transporter associated with antigen processing (TAP)-1/2 heterodimer. APM component upregulation by interferon gamma (IFN-γ) restores SCCHN cell recognition and susceptibility to lysis by CTL, but the mechanism underlying TAP1/2 downregulation in SCCHN cells is not known. Because IFN-γ activates signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT)-1, we investigated phosphorylated (p)-STAT1 as a mediator of low basal TAP1/2 expression in SCCHN cells. SCCHN cells were found to express basal total STAT1 but low to undetectable levels of activated STAT1. The association of increased pSTAT1 levels and APM components likely reflects a cause-effect relationship, since STAT1 knockdown significantly reduced both IFN-γ-mediated APM component expression and TA-specific CTL recognition of IFN-γ-treated SCCHN cells. On the other hand, since oncogenic pSTAT3 is overexpressed in SCCHN cells and was found to heterodimerize with pSTAT1, we also tested whether pSTAT3 and pSTAT1:pSTAT3 heterodimers inhibited IFN-γ-induced STAT1 activation and APM component expression. First, STAT3 activation or depletion did not affect basal or IFN-γ-induced expression of pSTAT1 and APM components or recognition of SCCHN cells by TA-specific CTL. Second, pSTAT1:pSTAT3 heterodimers did not interfere with IFN-γ-induced STAT1 binding to the TAP1 promoter or APM protein expression. These findings demonstrate that APM component downregulation is regulated primarily by an IFN-γ-pSTAT1-mediated signaling pathway, independent of oncogenic STAT3 overexpression in SCCHN cells.
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